Outdoor and wild domestic cats love to roam gardens and yards looking for food, mates to mate with and niches to use as a toilet. If you are having trouble with one of these unwanted visitors, then you should understand why your cat is attracted to your property and take steps to make it less attractive to them. You can learn how to keep cats away from your yard with one of the methods described here.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Technological Solutions
Step 1. Use repellents to prevent the cat from dirtying your garden
These products are the best solution against cats who have decided to use your property as a toilet, and are widely available both online and in pet stores. Sprinkle the granules or spray repellent near flower beds or places that are used as bedding.
- Repellents typically contain the odors of natural predators in an attempt to scare cats and persuade them to find another territory.
- Choose a non-toxic product to reduce the risk of harming your cat, children or plants.
Step 2. Purchase a motion sensor sprayer
You can find this type of devices online at a price ranging between 40 and 100 euros.
- Place the sprinkler where your cat typically enters the garden or near areas you want to protect.
- Consider buying more than one device if several cats live nearby. After some time, the cat may find another way to access your property.
Step 3. Give the ultrasound devices a try
Choose a model that activates thanks to movement; these objects are also widely available on the internet at a variable cost of 20-40 euros. When the cat enters the garden, the device emits an unpleasant sound that dissuades him and makes the environment inhospitable.
- Humans do not perceive high frequency sounds, but they will still be annoying to other animals.
- This is the best way to keep away felines that spend a lot of time on your property.
Method 2 of 3: Eliminate Temptations
Step 1. Eliminate all bird feeders and trays
If cats are hunting in your garden, the presence of these elements may make it easier for them.
If you don't want to remove the feeders, then let them hang in an area where the cat cannot climb or jump to attack the birds
Step 2. Close the sandboxes
If you have children and have set up a sandpit for them to play, then remember to only open it when it's time to use it. If you can't keep it closed and covered, then consider deleting it.
- Cats are attracted to sand because they consider it litter material; Also, if you let children play in areas contaminated with cat feces, you could expose them to zoonosis.
- Animal protection associations recommend removing cats from the garden by distracting them with a small sandpit nearby. Although, in practice, you are creating a litter box for them that you will need to keep clean, at the same time you avoid the cats from frequenting other areas of your garden.
Step 3. Remove all water and food that is left outside
If you feed your kitty outdoors, the other felines in the neighborhood will also start frequenting your home in a short time, as it will be a source of food for them.
Step 4. If your pet cat is not spayed and is in heat, keep her indoors
Non-neutered male cats can smell her and run to your property.
Method 3 of 3: Keep Cats Away from Plants
Step 1. Lay a wire mesh at ground level
Once you've prepared the area where your seeds or seedlings will start growing, cover it with a horizontal layer of wire mesh.
- Drill holes in the plants to allow them to grow through the net. Use wire cutters for this.
- Coma solutions these are the best and most effective to dissuade cats from using flower beds as a litter box.
Step 2. Cover the spaces of free soil between the plants with stones
Once the garden or flower bed is planted, place a layer of flat stones between the flowers and plants. The water will still be able to seep, but at the same time you will prevent cats and weeds from infesting the lawn.
- You can replace the stones with pine cones. The sharp ends of the pine cones are very unsightly for the paws of cats. Your goal is to limit the exposed bare land area to make your property less inviting.
- Some specialist retailers also offer specific "anti-cat" mats that rest on the ground; they have the surface covered with plastic spikes that prevent cats from walking on them. However, be aware that they are equally unsightly on human feet, and could be a problem when you need to water your garden or get rid of weeds.
Step 3. Plant the rue
The common rue is mostly an ornamental plant, but cats can't stand its smell.
